Source: The Hindu
According to data from the State Fire and Emergency Services Department, careless smoking has become the leading cause of fires in Telangana in 2024. According to the data, careless smoking and abandoned cigarette butts caused 3,865 fire occurrences overall, significantly more than any other reason.
With 2,151 occurrences, electrical short circuits came in second, while 845 cases fell into the catch-all category known as others. The reason of another 670 fire calls was classified as “not known,” indicating either a lack of on-site information or inadequate investigation.
Arson, gas and coal furnaces, and mechanical heat or sparks were other major contributors. 113 fires were caused by spontaneous combustion, serving as a reminder that even dormant things might catch fire under the right circumstances if they are handled incorrectly.
With 2,045 emergency calls, residential properties were the most frequently reported. Electric installations, industries and industrial units, stores and warehouses, and retail establishments were among the other hotspots.
Model Question:
“Frequent fire incidents in Telangana, both in forest areas and urban settings, highlight systemic vulnerabilities in disaster preparedness and environmental governance.” Critically analyze the causes, consequences, and suggest a multi-pronged strategy to address the fire menace in the state.
Model Answer:
Frequent fire incidents in Telangana — ranging from forest fires in districts like Komaram Bheem and Adilabad to urban blazes in Hyderabad’s commercial areas — have raised serious concerns about environmental degradation, loss of biodiversity, human safety, and gaps in disaster management.
Causes:
- Forest Fires:
- Natural Causes: High temperatures during summer months, dry deciduous forests prone to ignition.
- Anthropogenic Factors: Slash-and-burn practices, clearing for podu cultivation, negligence by tourists or locals.
- Lack of Preparedness: Absence of fire lines, poor early-warning systems, and limited firefighting infrastructure.
- Urban Fires:
- Poor Building Compliance: Violations of fire safety norms, especially in commercial and residential buildings.
- Illegal Storage: Hazardous materials stored in unauthorized locations.
- Inadequate Infrastructure: Congested areas with limited access for fire tenders, outdated hydrant systems.
Consequences:
- Environmental Impact:
- Destruction of flora and fauna, increase in carbon emissions.
- Soil erosion and loss of regenerative capacity in forests.
- Economic Loss: Loss of property, livelihood disruptions, and costs of firefighting operations.
- Public Health and Safety: Respiratory ailments due to smoke, fatalities and injuries, especially in urban fire cases.
- Administrative Strain: Strained disaster response mechanisms and delayed rehabilitation.
Way Forward – Multi-Pronged Strategy:
- Prevention and Early Warning:
- Satellite-based Forest fire alert systems (like FSI’s Forest Fire Alert System) must be fully integrated and localized.
- Installation of smoke sensors and IoT-based alarms in urban high-rises.
- Legal and Policy Measures:
- Strict enforcement of the Telangana Fire Safety Rules, and penalizing safety violations.
- Regular audits of fire preparedness in both public and private buildings.
- Community Participation:
- Forest management committees under the Joint Forest Management (JFM) scheme to be empowered.
- Awareness campaigns on fire risks and emergency response training.
- Infrastructure and Technology:
- Modernize fire services with drones, fire-retardant chemicals, and GPS-enabled response systems.
- Create urban fire escape plans and retrofit existing buildings with compliant safety systems.
- Capacity Building:
- Regular training and drills for fire personnel and local volunteers.
- Increase budgetary allocation for forest and urban fire management.
The Telangana fire incidents underscore the intersection of environmental vulnerability and urban governance challenges. Addressing these requires not only reactive firefighting but proactive, systemic reforms involving technology, community, and administration working in tandem.
